Thread

We need clarity.

Schools are still open, even if the physical buildings are not.

Leaders need to know what to plan for in regards to the rest of the school year.

Do we plan for remote teaching & learning for the remainder of the school year or just to May half term?

Many school staff are continuing to work. Many have planned over the Easter break in preparation for after the Easter holiday. Many have worked in schools as well providing care for children of key workers. Many are making phone calls & checking in on students & their families.

Teachers have had to learn to teach & provide learning in a completely different way within a matter of days.

Schools are providing far more than an academic education right now (as they have for a long time).

We need some clarity as to how we will continue to do so safely.

The speculation, the irresponsible reporting and the many arguments for why schools should return before September are damaging.

The anxiety. The stress.
No one is finding lockdown easy. We don't need the above making it worse.

We need some clarity.

Personally, I believe student wellbeing is far more important right now than the impact on their knowledge and understanding. Yes, the disadvantage gap may widen, but if we do not support student wellbeing it will make it even harder to close later on.

The summer holidays will be needed by students, not to learn and 'catch up' but to socialise, to be children and to enjoy the things they are missing right now.

Can funding be put towards providing free activity services for children and teens?

It's not that I'd be unhappy to work through the summer holidays but we need clarity! For instance if we were told that schools were closed until said date, that we do not have to provide any work for students & instead schools will go back in July/August, that's manageable.

Or even to be told school buildings won't reopen until August/September. Schools must provide remote learning until end of school year. Again fine.

But we need that clarity.

Clarity would mean teachers aren't creating work that may never be used. School leaders can clamber out of the limbo they currently find themselves. Students have some certainty of how the rest of the school year with pan out. We all need clarity.
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